Walk ramp

Abstract

A walk ramp for use with a van or trailer, preferably manufactured from extruded aluminum. A pair of elongated side rails, including opposing inwardly facing open rail channels, is arranged in substantially parallel relation. A plurality of interlocking tread plates spans the rails, having their outer edges inserted within the rail channels. Each tread plate has a first connecting edge provided with a flange, and a second connecting edge provided with a recess. The flanges and recesses are sized and configured to interlock in sliding relation. Each tread plate features a plurality of upstanding ribs and a reinforcement tube, both extending between the outer edges of the plate. Bolts pass inwardly through the rails, into respective open ends of the reinforcement tube. A top apron and a bottom skid plate are provided on the ends of the ramp.

1 . A tread plate comprising: 
 a. a plate having opposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending between said side edges, said first connecting edge including male connector means and said second connecting edge including female connector means, said plate further having an upper side and a lower side;    b. a plurality of exposed ribs protruding from said upper side and said lower side of said plate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to define upper side and lower side tread channels therebetween; and,    c. reinforcement means integrally formed within said plate, said reinforcement means extending substantially between said opposing side edges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge.    
   
   
       2 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  in which said male connector means comprises a flange.  
   
   
       3 . A tread plate as in  claim 2  in which said flange is v-shaped in cross-section, including a pair diverging wing portions.  
   
   
       4 . A tread plate as in  claim 3  in which said wing portions terminate on one side of a respective one of said plurality of ribs, and in which fillets are provided on the other side of said respective one rib.  
   
   
       5 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  in which said female connector means comprises a recess.  
   
   
       6 . A tread plate as in  claim 5  in which said recess includes a base, an open top portion, and converging walls extending between said base and said open top portion.  
   
   
       7 . A tread plate as in  claim 6  in which said recess is located within one side of a female connector head and in which fillets are provided on the other side of said female connector head.  
   
   
       8 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  in which said reinforcement means comprises a tube, and further including at least two rail bolts passing inwardly into a respective said fastening receiver.  
   
   
       9 . A tread plate as in  claim 8  in which said fastening receiver comprises an open end, sized to be engaged by a threaded end of a respective said rail bolt.  
   
   
       10 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  including a plurality of apertures within said plate, extending between said upper side and said lower side tread channels.  
   
   
       11 . A tread plate as in  claim 10  in which said apertures comprise elongated slots.  
   
   
       12 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  manufactured from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       13 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  in which said reinforcement means is adjacent said male connector means, and further including a fillet between said reinforcement means and said male connector means.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled).  
   
   
       15 . A tread plate as in  claim 1  in which said ribs have an outer edge, and further including a plurality of transverse notches in said outer edge.  
   
   
       16 . A walk ramp, comprising: 
 a. first and second tread plates, each said tread plate comprising: a plate having opposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending between said side edges, said first connecting edge including male connector means and said second connecting edge including female connector means, said plate further having an upper side and a lower side; a plurality of exposed ribs protruding from said upper side and said lower side of said plate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to define upper side and lower side tread channels therebetween; reinforcement means integrally formed with said plate, said reinforcement means extending substantially between said opposing side edges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge, said male connector means of said first tread plate being slidably engaged with said female connector means of said second tread plate;    b. first and second side rails, said rails having inwardly facing channels sized to accept said opposing side edges of said first and second tread plates; and,    c. means for connecting said first and second tread plates to said first and second side rails.    
   
   
       17 . A walk ramp as in  claim 16  in which said means for connecting said first and second tread plates to said first and second side rails comprises a plurality of rail bolts passing inwardly through said side rails and threadably engaging said reinforcement means.  
   
   
       18 . A walk ramp as in  claim 17  further including a plurality of channel bolts and respective nuts, said bolts passing through said channels and said opposing side edges of said first and second tread plates.  
   
   
       19 . A walk ramp as in  claim 16  further including an apron attached to an upper end of each of said side rails.  
   
   
       20 . A walk ramp as in  claim 18  further including a skid plate attached to a lower end of each of said side rails, in which said channel bolts and respective nuts secure said skid plate to said side rails.  
   
   
       21 . A walk ramp as in  claim 16  in which said first and second tread plates and said first and second side rails are formed from extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       22 . A walk ramp as in  claim 16  in which said first and second tread plates include at least one gripping aperture, sized and configured for hand gripping said ramp.  
   
   
       23 . A tread plate comprising: 
 a. a plate having opposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending between said side edges, said first connecting edge including male connector means and said second connecting edge including female connector means;    b. a plurality of ribs protruding from said plate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to define tread channels therebetween; and,    c. reinforcement means integrally formed within said plate, said reinforcement means comprises a tube extending substantially between said opposing side edges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge and at least two rail bolts passing inwardly into a respective said fastening receiver.    
   
   
       24 . A tread plate as in  claim 23  in which said fastening receiver comprises an open end, sized to be engaged by a threaded end of a respective said rail bolt.  
   
   
       25 . A walk ramp, comprising: 
 a. first and second tread plates, each said tread plate comprising: a plate having opposing side edges and a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge extending between said side edges, said first connecting edge including male connector means and said second connecting edge including female connector means; a plurality of ribs protruding from said plate, said ribs extending substantially between said opposing side edges and being arranged in spaced relation across said plate to define tread channels therebetween; reinforcement means integrally formed with said plate, said reinforcement means extending substantially between said opposing side edges and including a fastening receiver adjacent each side edge, said male connector means of said first tread plate being slidably engaged with said female connector means of said second tread plate;    b. first and second side rails, said rails having inwardly facing channels sized to accept said opposing side edges of said first and second tread plates; and, c. means for connecting said first and second tread plates to said first and second side rails comprising a plurality of rail bolts passing inwardly through said side rails and threadably engaging said reinforcement means.    
   
   
       26 . A walk ramp as in  claim 25  further including a plurality of channel bolts and respective nuts, said bolts passing through said channels and said opposing side edges of said first and second tread plates.  
   
   
       27 . A walk ramp as in  claim 26  further including a skid plate attached to a lower end of each of said side rails, in which said channel bolts and respective nuts secure said skid plate to said